# Is squeezing the water from your teabag gauche? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 20, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139 "2008-04-20T17:47:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/1 "2008-04-20T17:47:32Z")
Okay, make your jokes. But I have a serious etiquette question. In the old days, I used to fish my teabag out of my mug with a spoon, wrap the string around it, and squeeze the water out of it into my mug, figuring I’d get a little jolt of extra-strong tea. (I like my tea strong.) I was informed, however, that this is a violation of tea etiquette. Being the slave to convention that I am, I ceased and desisted. But is it really a violation of tea etiquette? Tell me, oh tea-bag loving dopers, where the truth lies. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/2 "2008-04-20T17:49:33Z")
There are people that will tell you that using tea bags, period, is a breach of tea etiquette. _shrug_ If you like it, do it. The tea police won’t come after you.\* \*Though I can’t guarantee the little blue-haired ladies who constitute the Great Board of Proper Teamaking won’t issue a fatwa. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/3 "2008-04-20T17:54:59Z")
I always do it, but in order to make the object I’m about to throw into the trash less soggy. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/4 "2008-04-20T18:27:05Z")
I’ve seen people do the same thing, but [this](http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/manners/tea-bag-etiquette-oct01) article from Good Housekeeping says it’s a no-no. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/5 "2008-04-20T18:33:04Z")
Yeah, it’s considered vulgar in some circles. I don’t squeeze it simply because the last few drops usually taste bitter. But unless you’re having tea with the queen I don’t think it matters. (Actually, if you’re having tea with the queen you probably shouldn’t be using teabags anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/6 "2008-04-20T18:43:44Z")
Frack ettiquette, I use the teaspoon to squeeze the teabag against the side of the cup. I don’t want to meet the people who would consider something as insignificant as squeezing a teabag vulgar. Actually, I do. I will bring them to a computer and show them the meaning of ‘vulgar’ (two girls one cup) ---
**Author:** ![Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alive_At_Both_Ends)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/7 "2008-04-20T18:53:25Z")
I squeeze the bag myself, I don’t worry about it. You shouldn’t either. Given your location, I’d say any tea-making technique not involving throwing the stuff into the sea would be an improvement. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/8 "2008-04-20T18:59:28Z")
My mother drank tea every day of her life and she was a squeezer. If anybody says anything, I’ll tell them my dear, sainted, mother drank her tea this way, and I will not let her memory be desecrated by nay-sayers. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/9 "2008-04-20T18:59:48Z")
C’mon, people, haven’t you heard of teabagging? Only perverts and prison inmates do it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/10 "2008-04-20T19:11:31Z")
[QUOTE=Boyo Jim] C’mon, people, haven’t you heard of teabagging? Only perverts and prison inmates do it. 🙂 [/QUOTE] But I wanna know if it’s okay to _squeeze_. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/11 "2008-04-20T19:34:41Z")
[QUOTE=Sophistry and Illusion] But I wanna know if it’s okay to _squeeze_. [/QUOTE] Oh yeah baby! ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/12 "2008-04-20T19:41:00Z")
[QUOTE=Boyo Jim] Oh yeah baby! [/QUOTE] So I guess it’s established that you’re either a pervert or a prison inmate. So which is it? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/13 "2008-04-20T20:10:35Z")
[QUOTE=Sophistry and Illusion] So I guess it’s established that you’re either a pervert or a prison inmate. So which is it? 😉 [/QUOTE] Well, in certain circles, like those in hell 😛 , I’m not a pervert. ---
**Author:** ![PharmBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@PharmBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PharmBoy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/14 "2008-04-21T00:23:49Z")
[QUOTE=Alive At Both Ends] I squeeze the bag myself, I don’t worry about it. You shouldn’t either. Given your location, I’d say any tea-making technique not involving throwing the stuff into the sea would be an improvement. 😉 [/QUOTE] Good one, AABE… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Carson\_O\_Genic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Carson\_O\_Genic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carson_O_Genic)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/15 "2008-04-21T09:14:07Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] I always do it, but in order to make the object I’m about to throw into the trash less soggy. [/QUOTE] Teabags make good compost fodder. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/16 "2008-04-21T10:09:38Z")
You can buy a brand of tea-bags that has “draw-strings” which enable you to squeeze the bag without using a spoon. Details here :- [Tetley](http://www.tetley.co.uk/Our-Products/Ranges/Tetley-Drawstring) ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/17 "2008-04-21T10:12:39Z")
Etiquette aside, squeezing the teabag releases more tannins and makes the tea more bitter than it would be if the bag were removed gently. The longer the tea seeps, the more tannins are released, but they seem to stay in the leaves for the first few minutes; squeezing pushes them into the teacup. If you only steep the bag for 30 seconds then squeeze the bag it will give you a stronger tasting cuppa, because not so many tannins have been released; after about a minute, squeezing the bag will induce bitterness that increases the longer it steeps. I like very strong tea, but not bitter tea, so I allow the teabag to infuse in just-boiled water for 3 minutes, then gently lift it out. It makes a huge difference to the flavour. I compost the bags, too, but I find that the bag doesn’t break down quickly enough, so I usually split the bag before it goes in the compost. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/18 "2008-04-21T18:20:37Z")
My grandmother was from Scotland. She drank tea ,then saved the teabag. Then made another cup,new bag. Then made a 3rd cup with the 2 bags she saved. She did not squeeze them. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/19 "2008-04-21T18:28:20Z")
[QUOTE=Alive At Both Ends] I squeeze the bag myself, I don’t worry about it. You shouldn’t either. Given your location, I’d say any tea-making technique not involving throwing the stuff into the sea would be an improvement. 😉 [/QUOTE] We stopped doing that once we realized that it made the tea too salty. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139/20 "2008-04-21T18:29:30Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] Etiquette aside, squeezing the teabag releases more tannins and makes the tea more bitter than it would be if the bag were removed gently. The longer the tea seeps, the more tannins are released, but they seem to stay in the leaves for the first few minutes; squeezing pushes them into the teacup. If you only steep the bag for 30 seconds then squeeze the bag it will give you a stronger tasting cuppa, because not so many tannins have been released; after about a minute, squeezing the bag will induce bitterness that increases the longer it steeps. I like very strong tea, but not bitter tea, so I allow the teabag to infuse in just-boiled water for 3 minutes, then gently lift it out. It makes a huge difference to the flavour. I compost the bags, too, but I find that the bag doesn’t break down quickly enough, so I usually split the bag before it goes in the compost. [/QUOTE] So what you’re saying is that you get stronger tea by **either** not brewing long then squeezing, **or** by brewing long and not squeezing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squeezing-the-water-from-your-teabag-gauche/446139.md?page=2)